MEC and CoBank Support Imagination Library

Published on Friday, September 5, 2025 in Community

Studies show the most important development happens from 0–3 years old, and kids who own books are better set up for success. According to the United Kingdom organization National Literacy Trust:

• Children who don’t read at their expected level are at greater risk of experiencing unemployment as adults.
• Children who own books are more likely to read above their expected level.

To give kids a head start on life, country music icon Dolly Parton created the Imagination Library, which mails children 0–5 years old an age-appropriate free book each month.

All families are eligible—simply sign your child up through your local affiliate, which you can find at imaginationlibrary.com.

As part of our vision of creating vibrant, relevant, and sustainable rural communities, MEC proudly supported the Lenawee Community Foundation in March 2025 to help bring the program to more than 500 kids. Our donation was matched by a CoBank Sharing Success Grant.